Exercise is the single most important component in maintaining healthy balance and preventing falls. In fact, exercise is so effective in not only reducing fall risk but also eliminating many types of chronic dizziness. The main question is "What kind of exercise works best?"

Not all exercises are equal. Many seniors mistakenly assume that walking is the best form of exercise. Although walking is extremely important for mobility, cardiovascular and joint health, it also has major limitations.

A recent study looked at seniors who walk in the mall for exercise. The group used walking as their only source of exercise and averaged 1 to 2 miles a day, four days a week. The results showed that this group had the same amount of falls as sedentary seniors. What went wrong? Absolutely nothing. These seniors did enjoy health benefits such as lowered blood pressure, improved cardiac and lung function, and less arthritic pain. But when their balance was tested there was no change in balance control.

The best exercise for balance. Research has shown that exercise such as Tai Chi, dancing, bicycle riding, group exercise classes and weight training done in the standing position share a theme — dynamic, challenging positions and poses while engaging large balance sensory control systems. Exercises that are not so good for balance include walking on flat surfaces, pool exercises and universal weight machines.

It's like a real-life version of the movie "Chicken Run," only without Mel Gibson and much, much slower. Near Summerville, Georgia, there is a turtle farm. Thousands of adult turtles, all native species to the southern United States, live in ponds on the property. Thanks to vandals or scrap metal thieves, breaks in the fence have allowed the turtles to wander off the property, taking up residence in surrounding waterways. The operation is something like a hatchery, and about 1,600 of the 2,200 turtles that form its breeding stock have run away.

The owner of this particular farm, one of only three in Georgia, started out in pest control and is descended from trappers. He started out trapping turtles for food, then learned how to farm them. The goal is to catch adult turtles, then confine them to the property. They live presumably happy turtle lives, reproducing and laying eggs on land surrounding their ponds. The farmer's family then gathers up the eggs and hatches them indoors. Some of the hatchlings are shipped to China and raised as food; others go to pet distributors in the United States.

The farm's owner is currently moving his operation to a new property, and is happy to pick up nuisance turtles for free and give them a new home. But the global turtle market is weak. A baby snapping turtle sold for about $14 a year ago, but fetches only $7 today.

At least 12 dead and 50 injured after gunman opens fire during showing of 'The Dark Knight Rises' at Aurora, Colo., theater. Police say they have a suspect in custody, identified as 24-year-old James Holmes, who witnesses say was armed with a rifle and handguns, and who wore what appeared to be a bullet-proof vest and gas mask.

Police initially said 14 people had died -- 10 in the theater and four at area hospitals, but revised the death toll to 12 later Friday morning, according to Lanigan.

Several people remained in critical condition at area hospitals, however.

Of the wounded, at least 20 were being treated at the University of Colorado Hospital, said spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery. All of the wounded suffered from gunshot wounds, which ranged from minor to critical, she said.

"They're arriving by police, by ambulance. Some are walking in," she said.

The victims being treated there ranged in age from 3 months to 45, the hospital said.

Denver Health Center had six patients from the shooting, one of them in critical condition, five in fair, said Shelly Davis, house supervisor.

Swedish Health Center spokeswoman Nicole Williams said her hospital was treating three people, two of them in critical and one in fair condition. A fourth patient was on the way, she said.

Parker Adventist Hospital was treating two people for minor injuries, according to a spokeswoman.

Hundreds of police officers descended on the theater, and the FBI has joined the investigation.

"We were calling for help from every police and fire agency," Fania said.
Aurora, a Denver suburb, is about 13 miles from Littleton, Colorado -- site of the April 1999 Columbine High School massacre.

President Barack Obama said Friday he was "shocked and saddened" by a deadly shooting at a suburban Denver movie theater and urged the nation to "come together as one American family" in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Obama said in a statement that he and first lady Michelle Obama were shocked by the "horrific and tragic" shooting. Obama said his administration would do everything they can to support the people of Aurora, Colo.

"As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors," Obama said.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said in a statement that he and his wife, Ann, were "deeply saddened by the news of the senseless violence" that led to the loss of life and injuries. He said they were praying for the families and loved ones of the victims "during this time of deep shock and immense grief. We expect that the person responsible for this terrible crime will be quickly brought to justice."

A gunman opened fire early Friday at a theater on the opening night of the latest Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Authorities say at least 12 people were killed and at least 50 others were injured. The FBI said there was no indication that the shooting had any connection to terrorism.

Obama was in Florida at the time of the shooting. The White House says Obama was informed of the shooting by his Homeland Security Adviser, John Brennan, at 5:26 a.m. EDT.

UPDATE: Shooter planned attack

(11:15am) Law enforcement has evacuated 5 buildings around the suspects apartment as a safety precaution. Reports are the suspect has sophisticated boobie traps within this apartment preventing safe access at this time.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Police Department's throughout New Hampshire are warning residents that telemarketers are making fraudulent calls seeking donations for the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police.

According to the association president, Chief Paul Donovan of Salem, uses fundraising as an important vehicle in helping to raise money for the continued benefit of promoting law enforcement education and training, but they don't use telemarketing to do so.

"We do all our own fundraising so that 100 percent of the money raised goes towards the programs we support and our Association," Donovan said. "This is done through direct mail.”

Telemarketers are people who sell things over the telephone and though many sell legitimate products from lawful companies, disreputable telemarketers using false and deceptive sales practices cost consumers billions of dollars a year, the press release said.

Fraudulent telemarketers can typically be identified by having a phone number from out of the area and by their high-pressure sales tactics.

"Legitimate businesses will usually recognize the fact that you’re not interested," the press release said.

Before the sales pitch even begins, the telemarketer must tell you that the call is a "sales" or a "fundraising" call.

The telemarketer must tell you his or her name and the name of the company.

You can get your name removed from many telemarketing lists through a free service offered by the Federal Trade Commission. Simply register at the Commission’s Web site, www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you wish to add to the Do Not Call Registry.

All telemarketers, even those not covered by the National Do Not Call Registry, must take you off their list if you specifically request that they do so. Tell the telemarketer to “remove me from your telemarketing list” and ask how long it will take to have your number removed.

If you get another call from a telemarketer, they have broken the law. Contact the police department in your area, or you can send an email to the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police by going to their website at www.nhchiefsofpolice.com.